Respect, what is respect?

One explanation states, "Esteem felt or shown towards a person," another says, "feeling of admiration for someone" - pretty awesome emotions to express. Unfortunately, today's society lacks respect for parents, teachers, elders, children and those in the caregiving field such as social workers, wellness workers, the RCMP and all those who are at various levels of authority.

Even in the workplace there is a lack of respect towards supervisors and towards each other. A friendly discussion on procedures often turns into heated arguments. Words are taken out of context and a wall begins to divide a long-time relationship with mistrust and soon there is no respect for each other. Children are in the care of the teachers for most of the day and they too are not showing respect because they act and react by treatment from home.

The import and possession of liquor knows no boundaries; a shipment arrives on Sunday and immediately it is dispensed, no respect for the day of rest. The retail stores have changed from a day off across the board to open on Sunday with family not being together to rest and relax.

There are laws and bylaws set in place for the well-being and protection of the residents at large such as speed limits within a community, designated "quiet times" set between midnight and 6 a.m., no drinking and driving and so on. These have all been breached because there is no respect and due consideration.

There was a time when hunters would return from a trip to the mainland and would leave their boats on the shore with all the gear and meat and return in the morning and unload with nothing missing. Now you leave your boat for an hour and the propeller is missing or meat has been taken without permission; there is no respect for other people's property.

I firmly believe it starts at home with words of advice and encouragement to respect other people's belongings. As we take the time to explain values and demonstrate these values, it will rub off.

• Harry Maksagak is a Cambridge Bay resident and former underground miner at the Lupin gold mine. He has been married for 38 years and has six children and 26 grandchildren